Shelf Talkers

What does it take to build not one successful consumer brand, but two? In this episode, Adam sits down with entrepreneur Sean Knecht, founder of PrideBites and co-founder of Tantos, to discuss the realities of building brands from the ground up. Sean shares how a simple idea for custom college-themed dog toys grew into a nationally recognized pet products company, how a Shark Tank appearance accel...

What does it take to launch a food brand, earn your first customers, and scale into stores across the country in just over a year? In this episode of Shelf Talkers, Adam Feller sits down with Katherine Horvath, Co-Founder and CMO of Teddy’s Tallow Chips, to discuss the remarkable story behind one of the fastest-growing emerging snack brands in the better-for-you space. Katherine shares how a missi...

In this episode of  Shelf Talkers , host Adam Feller sits down with Abby June Richards, founder of The CPG CFO, to talk about one of the most important parts of building a sustainable CPG business: understanding your numbers. Abby shares how she found her way into the finance side of CPG, why she started The CPG CFO, and how she helps emerging brands get more clarity around cash flow, pricing, mar...

This week, Adam sits down with  Michael Fisher , founder of  Rotten , a better-for-you candy brand that’s shaking up the confectionery aisle. With black packaging, wild 1980s-inspired characters, and unapologetic attitude, Rotten is proving that healthier candy doesn’t have to  look  healthy to win over shoppers. Michael shares the story of how he built the brand from scratch — literally starting...

Summary: You finally did it—your product’s on the shelf. But as Alli Ball says, “that’s when the real work begins.” In this episode, host  Adam Feller  talks with  Alli Ball , founder and CEO of  Food Biz Wiz® , about what happens  after that big retail win. Drawing from her experience as a grocery buyer and CPG coach, Alli shares what founders need to focus on once they’re in stores — from buildi...

In this episode of Shelf Talkers, Adam sits down with Dr. James Richardson, founder of Premium Growth Solutions and author of the best-selling CPG book Ramping Your Brand. Together, they dive into what it really takes for small CPG brands to grow — and more importantly, how to know when they’re actually ready for that growth. Dr. Richardson shares why “steady, incremental growth without really try...

In this episode of  Shelf Talkers , Adam sits down with  Stevie Belchak  and  Alexandra Watkins , two naming experts from the aptly named agency  Eat My Words . Together, they unpack the creative chaos behind crafting unforgettable brand names, from the logic that drives their process to the instincts that make a name stick. Alexandra shares her journey from copywriter to naming icon (including he...

In this episode of  Shelf Talkers , Adam sits down with Rachel Klein, founder of Revival, a brand that once brought craft almond butters to hundreds of shelves across the U.S. Rachel opens up about her unconventional journey into CPG, the rollercoaster of scaling into Walmart, and the difficult decision to close her company after a decade. Her story is raw, honest, and packed with lessons for ever...

In this episode, Jimmy Feeman, co-founder of NoBaked, shares the sweet story behind their edible cookie dough brand. From starting as a dessert shop to pivoting to DTC during the pandemic and entering retail, Jimmy talks about the challenges and triumphs of growing a brand with his wife, Megan. What We Cover: The leap from office job to entrepreneur and starting the business with his wife The pand...

Local creators aren’t just more relatable, they’re more effective. In this episode, Charise Flynn of Hummingbirds breaks down why tapping into smaller, community-based influencers can help CPG brands connect more deeply and authentically with their customers. What We Cover: How local influencers build stronger, more accurate connections with your audience Why giving creators content direction—but...

Great food photography does more than look good, it drives connection, brand trust, and sales. In this episode, renowned food photographer Chava Oropesa shares what separates pro-level work from DIY shots, how to collaborate well with a photographer, and why choosing the right one is about more than just their portfolio. 🧠 What We Cover: Why investing in professional photography pays off in brand...

Too many CPG brands treat brand strategy as a one-and-done exercise, or skip it altogether. In this episode, brand strategist Kelly Bennett breaks down why strategy should guide everything from packaging to partnerships, and how her approach shifts depending on whether a brand is just starting out or refining its next stage of growth. 🧠 What We Cover: Why brand strategy is the heart of a successf...

Jordan Buckner built a promising CPG brand then walked away. In this episode, he shares why he shut down Tea Squares, how burnout shaped his next move, and how he’s now helping hundreds of food and beverage founders grow through FoodBevy. What We Cover: Navigating CPG as a Beginner Entrepreneur Burnout and Knowing When to Quit Building a CPG Community for Resources and Education Guest Info: Name:...